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The Art of Networking & Professional Branding

Nkrumah Pierre, Director, Friends of the Firm Program #FriendsofTheFirm#EisnerAmper

@NkrumahPierre

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Main Components for Today’s Presentation

1) How to network effectively (working a room, follow up/email etiquette, “closing the loop”)

2) How to determine your brand

3) How to leverage & engage your network via social media

4) Tips for interacting and networking with your colleagues and or peers

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Who is Your Network

• How have you grown your network recently?

• Are you part of any organizations for entrepreneurs/ start-ups?

• Were you active in any particular organizations on campus? Are you still involved as an alum?

• Have you been back to campus recently?

• When was the last time you helped someone in your network?

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How to Utilize Your Network

• How should you be reaching out to your network?

• Who should you be reaching out to?

• How often?

• Proper follow up?

• How can you add value to said individual(s) you are reaching out to?

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The Art of Networking

• How to work a room

• Making the most of time with leaders

• Strategic networking decisions

• Follow up (continued in greater detail on following slide)

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Proper Email Etiquette (format and tone)

• What does a proper follow up email look like?

• Formatting / Tone / Grammar

• How soon do I send ? When do I follow up on my follow up note?

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Follow Up Email

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Check List for Leveraging Your Network Effectively

• Have you been keeping in touch with your contacts, mentor(s), new colleagues /peers ?

• Have you remained current with your top contacts?• What’s the difference between staying current and keeping in

touch?

• Have you made a strong introduction or referred business, a job and or internship opportunity/lead to someone in your network recently?

• Are you volunteering your time and or expertise?

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Social Media is Your BRAND!

Remember, your brand is what people are saying about you when you are not in the room

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7 Ways to Use Social Media to Build Stunning Brands

• 1. Reputation ManagementKey point: People are talking about you online, whether you choose to listen or not

• 2. Customer ServiceKey point: Social media customer service is the new (800) number

• 3. Public RelationsKey point: Social media enables you to take your message to customers/potential employersdirectly

• 4. Customer (Employer / Mentor/ Peer) AcquisitionKey point: Market sideways. Features and benefits are too boring to work in social media

• 5. Create Brand CommunitiesKey point: Activate your fans and give them something to do. Don’t just collect them like baseball cards

• 6. Thought LeadershipKey point: Everyone in the world has expertise. What’s yours, and how to you distribute it?

• 7. NetworkingKey point: Social capital belongs to individuals, and is loaned to brands. You can use social networking to develop relationships online that you’d be unlikely to have otherwise.

(JAY BAER– Blogger)

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Social Channels to Leverage for Opportunities

LinkedIn

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Hootsuite

Snapchat

Blogs

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How to Engage Your Network on Social Media

• Be sure to always answer tweets and posts when questions are posed – your mentors, peers and prospective clients and or employers will appreciate it – responsiveness goes a long way

• Be cordial – thank individuals for retweets and positive comments and or likes on social media

• Showcase those in your network on FB, Twitter, IG and LinkedIn – give shout-outs!

• Share relevant articles posted by your contacts and or influencers in your industry

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Things to Remember

• Do not ONLY rely on social media to interact with your contacts

• We live in a HIGH TECH / LOW TOUCH AGE where human interaction cannot be replaced

• Social media helps to create awareness and buzz in addition to lead generation and piquing interest from prospects (future employers/mentors) in addition to gaining loyalty from current contacts

• Social media can be a major asset, but can also be a huge liability if not utilized properly

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Where to Find Opportunities

• Social Media Channels: LinkedIn,Twitter,FB,IG,& Blogs

• Google Alerts

• Professional Groups/Organizations

• Mentors

• Mentees

• Professional & Social Network

• Alumni Network

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Additional Ways to Expand Your Network & Social Media Presence & Find Opportunities

• Become a mentor and/or seek mentorship

• Become active in professional organizations & associations

• Engage in volunteer opportunities

• Join networking groups

• Attend conferences/panels within your industry

• Attend networking events

• Take Risks

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Solutions for Success– Ways to Remain Relevant

• Be consistent, honest, thoughtful and innovative

• Invest time in sharpening your skills and building your knowledge base

• Focus on building your network; partner with others who excel in areas in which you are lacking or those who compliment your strengths

• *Remember the BEST CEOs surround themselves with people who are smarter than them*

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Key Points to Remember When Networking with Executive Leaders

• Focus on building your network both internally and externally; partner with those who excel in areas in which you are lacking or those who compliment your strengths

• Try to interact with your peers and those senior to you who are on different teams – invite them to coffee and or lunch, learn more about their business

• Try to connect the dots among your high level contacts outside of the organization, think about potential business synergies

• Volunteer your time to assist with set up and checking in registrants at events

• Serve as a resource to those around you and help others before you need anything

• Seek and provide mentorship

• Be bold & take risks

• Join groups; take leadership roles and be active!

• Become a Connector! (Who would like to define this term?)

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Don’t forget…

Your network determines your net worth!

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Questions?

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This publication is intended to provide general information to our clients and friends. It does not constitute

accounting, tax, or legal advice; nor is it intended to convey a thorough treatment of the subject matter.

This publication is intended to provide general information to our clients and friends. It does not constitute

accounting, tax, or legal advice; nor is it intended to convey a thorough treatment of the subject matter.